University to host student-only Moderna COVID-19 vaccine clinic April 23
In response to the United States' halt on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Central Michigan University has switched the upcoming student-only clinic to Moderna.
The student-only clinic will be open for one day on April 23 in Finch Fieldhouse to administer first doses of the Moderna vaccine. Appointments are currently available and scheduling will be open until 5 p.m April 16. A second dose clinic will be scheduled for late May and further clinics will be planned based on demand.
On April 9, CMU sent out a campus-wide email announcing a student-only Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine clinic. On April 12, the FDA and CDC recommended a pause on the vaccine. CMU announced a student-only Moderna vaccine clinic on April 13.
The Moderna vaccine has a multiple week wait time between the first and second dose, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single dose. As the semester comes to a close, Dr. George Kikano, vice president of health affairs and dean of the CMU College of Medicine, encourages students to get their vaccines as soon as possible so they can leave for the summer fully vaccinated.
Kikano said if you are unable to get the second dose at CMU, it is okay to get it elsewhere.
"While it is recommended that individuals receive their second dose from the same provider as their first, it is not required," Kikano said in a University Communications press release. "We hope some who receive their first dose here on campus are able to return four weeks later for their second. However, if that's not possible, they should be able to show their vaccine card at another provider to receive their second dose."
In May, all three health clinics held at CMU will be moved from Finch Fieldhouse to the Student Activity Center due to Finch Fieldhouse not having air conditioning.
The recent surge in cases in Michigan, including Isabella County, are primarily affecting young adults age 16-45 who are unvaccinated, as most of the older population have already received their vaccines, Kikano said.
As of April 14, the Michigan Health Department confirmed 7,955 new cases of COVID-19, according to the Detroit Free Press. The CMDHD reported 4,525 confirmed cases for the same day.
“Vaccines are safe. COVID is deadly. COVID is putting people in the hospital. The surge we are seeing in Michigan is transmitted among younger adults,” Kikano said. “ This surge is for young adults, which speaks to the importance of the vaccine.”
